Representatives of Mississippi State, Starkville, Mississippi Department of Transportation and Beep Inc. welcomed two electric-autonomous shuttles to the university campus earlier this month. Two routes will transport university and local community riders between the campus core, key housing locations and popular entertainment destinations. Pictured are, from left, Roderick Bailey, MDOT public transit deputy director; Lynn Spruill, Starkville mayor; Mark E. Keenum, MSU president; Jeremiah Dumas, MSU executive director of transportation; Shirley Wilson, MDOT public transit director; and Bri Kimmel, Beep, Inc. client success manager. PHOTO: Jonah Holland | Public Affairs
Administrators reach out to affected students from hurricane-impacted areas
Mississippi State Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois is reaching out to numerous students from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to show support for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that made landfall last Thursday night [Sept. 26]. Bourgeois said the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is encouraging students impacted in any way by the hurricane to respond or call 662-325-3611 so the university can ensure each student’s safety and provide the academic resources they need during this time. When students are facing a sudden crisis, including families impacted by severe weather or other disasters, the university’s Division of Student Affairs works with others on campus to help impacted students through difficult times.
CVM improves facilities, technology for patients, students
Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine facility now offers on-site neurology services, thanks to recent renovations. With the addition of a state-of-the-art MRI unit this fall and the college’s neurology services move from off-campus to the university, the CVM Animal Health Center is significantly advancing for patient care and educational opportunities for veterinary students. The new in-house MRI machine allows for immediate, high-quality imaging tailored to patient needs, a considerable improvement from the prescheduled, time-restricted imaging system. CVM Dean Nick Frank believes these improvements increase the strength of the facility and its students.
Sparking STEM enthusiasm: Bagley College of Engineering K-12 Outreach expands robotics opportunities for Mississippi students
Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering continues to cultivate an energetic enthusiasm for technology and innovation in the next generation. Bagley Robotics, the university’s leading robotics education organization housed in the college’s Office of K-12 Outreach, facilitates VEX IQ robotics competitions and provides fourth through eighth grade students opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology. This competition, which continues on Oct. 15 in Humphrey coliseum, helps students develop critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. “The more I engage with Mississippi industry, the more I understand that there is a need for children to have at least seen robotics before,” said Nichole Peterson, program coordinator.
Applications open for annual community engagement awards
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to apply for a 2024 Mississippi State University Excellence in Community Engagement Award on behalf of a project in the following categories: Community-Engaged Service, Community-Engaged Research and Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning. A $3,000 award will be given in each of those areas to recognize outstanding work and support its continuation. Projects that achieve honorable mention will receive $1,000. Applicants should be aware that the MSU CE Awards are not a grant proposal process but a recognition of existing projects. Submissions are due Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. Community Partner feedback forms are due by Nov. 1 at noon.
Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With campaigning for elected offices underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.
Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are now available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s new agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.
Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.
The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.
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